Pehlevi

9.9

An old Iranian language used for Zoroastrian religious writing from the 3rd to the 10th centuries

noun
/ˈpeɪləvi/

Literature

: pehlevi

Pehlevi was spoken and used in literature during the Sasanian Empire.

Examples

The ancient texts were written in Pehlevi.
Pehlevi was spoken and used in literature during the Sasanian Empire.
Many ancient manuscripts of Zoroastrian faith were written in Pehlevi.
Researchers often rely on knowledge of Pehlevi to interpret historical Iranian texts.
Many scholars study Pehlevi to understand Zoroastrianism.
Many ancient manuscripts of Zoroastrian faith were written in Pehlevi.
Researchers often rely on knowledge of Pehlevi to interpret historical Iranian texts.

Synonyms

Pahlavi

vsPehlevi

Specialized

1 9.9

An old form of Persian used in Zoroastrian religious books

is identical in sense but the term is a variant spelling

Pahlavi language

vsPehlevi

Specialized

1 9.9

An old Iranian language used in Zoroastrian religious books from the 3rd to 10th centuries

means the same but is a longer descriptive label rather than short name

Pehlevi language

vsPehlevi

Literature

9.9

A language used in religious books of ancient Persia

is the same language but uses an alternate traditional name

Compounds

Pehlevi language

Literature

9.9

A language used in religious books of ancient Persia

Surface Forms

Pehlevi singular

Pehlevis plural

Etymology

Pehlevi comes from an old name for the people of Parthia, so it originally meant 'of the Parthians'. It became the name for the old Iranian language used to write Zoroastrian books, which is why Pehlevi refers to that older form of Persian.